Button clamp



May 7, 1929. f x R L LYON 1 1,711,607

BUTTON CLAMP Filed March 9, 1925 2 Shets-Sheet 1 May 7, 1929.

R. L. LYONS BUTTON CLAMP Filed March 9, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 7, 1929.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT L. LYONS, or WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, Assre'non TO FREDERICK OsAN COMPANY, OE NEW YORK, N. Y

A C0BIOIELA'lTIQN OF NEW YORK.

BUTTON CLAMP.

Application. filed March 9, 1925. Serial No. 14,108.

ward each other and between which the buttons are placed. A stop adjustable in accord ancewith the size of the button which, it is desired to sew may be employed to limit the closing movement of the jaws to a position slightly closer than when the aws are in engagement with the button. This permits the insertion of the button by forcing itagainst and between the partly opened j aws, the j awclosing spring or springs yielding to permit the necessary further separation of the jaws to permit the button'to pass thcrebetween.

In order, however. that the aws may securely hold the buttons, they must engage the button 7 edges at points less than 180apart about its edge. the engaging portions when a button is in position being thus spaced from each other less than the diameter of the button and angularly disposed relatively to each other.

As the buttons are inserted edgewise the pair of jaws between which it is passed must be separated at their outer edges the full diameter of the button during the insertion thereof. The outer edges of the button engaging faces of the jaws are thus engaged by the button initially at points at one side of a diameter where thetangentsto the button edge are far from parallel and thus in a disadvantageous relation for wedging the jaws apart against the relatively heavy tension of the jaw closing spring. Moreover,- due to the necessity of using relatively narrow jawsj in order to properly engage the smaller sized buttons, they present relatively sharp edges to the button which is being forced therebe- There is thus a tendency for these done according to the present invention by providing a lost motion connection between the jaws and their spring closing mechanism, this lost motion being normally taken up by a spring of less strength than the spring clos-' ing mechanism and being of sufficient amplitude to permit the to be opened initially by a comparatively light pressure ofthe but.- ton' against the jaws until they are so far opened that the'jaw edges engage portions of the button edge nearer diametricallyoppm. site to each other, and are thus disposed at a.

much more favorable wedge angle to engage the aws and open them against the pressure of the main closing spring mechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide a construction of the jaws which will automatically accommodate itself to buttons of different shapes.

' .Vhiletheinvention is applicable clamps of various forms, for illustration it will be shown in connection with a button clamp of the type disclosedand claimed in to button my-Patent 1,645,537, granted October 18, p

1927, for button clamps;

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1*is a fragmentary elevation partly broken away of abutton sewing machine employing .a buttonelamp constructed according to this invention. 1 Y

l igures 2 and 3 are fragmentary front ole 1 vations showlng buttons of dlfferent shapes.

in position between the button clamp jaws.

Figures 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views showing for different size buttons the engagemerit between certain} of the jaws and the button edge as the button is being inserted into the-clamp. j I

Figure (Sis a front elevation of the button clamp.

Figure 7 is a top plan view thereof. Figure 8 is. an inverted plan view thereof. Figure 9 is a disassembled fragmentary perspective of certain jaw elements.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective of other jaw elements.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective 10 assembled.

showing the parts illustrated in Figures 9 and "Referringtirst to Figure 1, 1 indicates a portion of a. sewing machine frame having a work plate 2 beneath which is located alooper.

3 rotatable with thelooper shaft 4. Above the worktable 2 is a head 5 carrying other bar 6 and a needle 7. The head is carried at the end of an arm 8 overhanging the frame portion 1 in the usual manner. A button clamp comprising a frame 10 on which are mounted the button engaging jaws, as will later appear, is fixed to an angle shaped arm 11 pivoted at its lower end as at 12, this frame normally being rocked downwardly to permit the button clamping aws to engage the work, but being raised upwardly at certain times, as by means of a chain 13, having its lower end fixed to the frame 10, as at 14, and pulled up wardly by any suitable raising mechanism in the usual manner. Commonly three but-ton clamping jaws are employed and the clamp herein shown and described is so provided. Of these jaws, two comprise shank portions or members 15 pivoted at their rear ends as at 16 to the frame 10 and extending along the lower side thereof slightly beyond the front portion of-the frame where they areshown upwardly turned at angles to their rear portions as at'18'. As shown in detail in Figures 10 and 11 each of these upturned portions has an opening 19 in which is threaded the inner end of a screw 20 which passes loosely through a perforation 21 in the upper end of a button engaging member 22 which projects downwardly, the lower ends of these members 22 being turned forwardly and then toward each other where they are formed with button-engaging faces 25. The enlarged perforations 21 through these members provide a lostmotion connection between these members and their respective shank portions which is limited in extent by a pin 27 projecting from each of the portions 18 and engaging in a slot 28 in each of the members 22. This lost motion is normally taken up in one direction by means of springs 30, each of which has a hooked lower end 31 engaging over the outer edge of a member 22 and the upper end of which is fixed as by means of screws 10 to the corresponding shank member 15. The shank members 15 are normally urged toward each other by a comparatively heavy spring. As herein shown this spring comprises a looped wire extending about the outer edge of the frame 10 and having its forward ends inwardly turned as at 46 and engaging in perforations 47 in the outer edges of the shank members. The swinging motion of the shank members ,15 toward each other is limited by a suitable adjustable stop. As herein shown this stop comprises a block 50 fixed to one of the shank members15 which is engaged by the end of a screw 51 threaded through the other shank member 15, this screw being provided at its outer end with a knurled head 52 by which itmay be turned.

,A nut 53 and a lock washer 54: on this screw 51 may be employed to hold it in adjusted position. This screw should be so adjusted that the lower ends of the jaw members 22 are limited in their closing movement to positions spaced apart only slightly less than the diameter of the button to be engaged so that the jaws are notrequired to be opened far in order that the button may be inserted. It will be noted that both the springs 45 and 30 act to bring the button-engaging faces 25 toward each other as far as is permittedby the adjustable stop screw 51 and the pins 27 engaging the ends of the slots 2 of the members 22. v

In order to hold the button from being pulled out between the button-engaging faces 25, these faces, as disclosed more particularly in Figures l and 5, are not parallel to each other, their outer edges being closer together than their inner edges and when engaging the button they engage forwardly ofa diametrical line thereacross. It will be seen by reference to these figures, that when the button edge is presented to the members 22, which are spaced the proper distance to permit the faces 25 to engage the button edge under the required spring pressure when the button is m posltion, the comparatively sharp outer edges engage the button edge as at the points a and I) where the tangents 0, (Z and e, f

to the button edge are far from parallel to each other, consequently pressure of the but ton in the direction of the arrow X of Figure 1 to force the button-engaging faces apart sufficiently to permit the'button to pass there between acts at a very unfavorable wedging angle. Consequently if the pressure holding these button-engaging faces toward each other is strong, the resistance to the insertion of the button is very considerable. By the lost motion connections between the members other, whereupon the tangents at the points of contact between the jaws and the button as the lines m, n and o, p are much nearer parallel to each other than the tangent lines 0, (Z and e, f. Thesetangents m, n and 0, p are thus at a much more favorable wedglng angle relative to the clamping aws'and hence pressure exertedfon the button is more effective to open these jaws under the relatively heavy tension exerted by the spring 45. It is therefore necessary to exert much less pressure on the button than when the button was originally presented to the jaws. It is thus considerably easier for the operator to insert the buttons in position where it is unnecessary to oppose the action of the relatively heavy spring 45 during the initial opening 1novement of the jaws.

The advantage gained by this construction the button is more favorable with the large but-tons than with the small buttons. The

sertion of large buttons.

Cooperating with the pair of jaws thus described is a third aw as shown in the pat-' cut above referred to. this jaw being carried by a plate 71 slidable lengthwise of the frame 10 therebeneath and connected through pin and slot connections 7 2 with the shank members 15 in order that simultaneous opening and closing movement of the three jaws dining all exceptthe taking up of the lost motion connection between the shank members and the members 22 is insured.

Not only is a button clamp required to take buttons of different sizes,but the buttons'commonly vary in thickness and 'in cross sectional contour certain of the buttons being much thicker at their centers than at their edges and other buttons being of more nearly uniform thickness. In "order to provide for handling buttons of different thicknesses and cross sectional contours, the awelements 22 may each be provided with spring elements 75, each having an upwardly turned end 7 6 projecting inwardly toward the other j aw element 22 and toward the center of a button engaged by these jaws beyond the button-engaging face 25, these ends forming lips,

adapted to overlie the upper faces of the buttons inserted between the aws. These spring elements 75 may be formed to overlie the members 22 and extend upwardly against their forward faces. In order to permit an adjustment thereof relative to the members 22 to provide for varying thicknesses'of buttons, they are shown as connected to these members 22 by means'such as screws 77 passing through perforations 78 of larger diameter than the shanks of the screw, the inner ends of the screws being threaded into the members 22. There is also shown a pin 7 9 extending outwardly from the forwardface of each of the members 22 through an enlarged perforation 80 in the spring element 7 5 as to limit the extent of adjusting bodily movement between the spring element and the member 22. The upwardly turned ends 76 of these spring elements engage above the buttons positioned between the jaws being vertically adjustable relative to the member 20 to take buttons of varying thicknesses as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Since they are upwardly turned at their inner ends their button facing portionsare upwardly inclined so that they may engage with buttons of greater thickness at their centers than at their edges,

as is illustrated in Figure 3,though no harm is done in case buttons of substantially uniform thickness are used, in which case the inner ends ofthes'e sprin elements do not contact therewith. As shown in Figure 2 the button is so thin that the springs 75 can not actually contact therewith, but they do come sufliciently close thereto to prevent such excessive movement of the button between the c amping jaws as might be liable to affect its position with reference to the sewing instrumentalities during the attaching of the button to the work. In Figure 3 they are shown as engaging a larger button having a thick central portion. This manner of mounting the springs also permits the projection of the lip portions beyond the jaw ends to :be ad justed, buttons of smaller sizes requiring less projection than those of larger sizes. Buttons of small size require relatively slight proj ection since otherwise the lips would be liable to cover over the sewing holes in the button, while a slight projection would be insufficient to retain large buttons in the clamp against the pull of the thread as it is machine take up. p j

Having thus described certain embodiments of this invention it should be evident drawn up by the to those skilled in the art that'various changes and 'm'odifications might be made therein without departing from its spirit'o'r scope as defined by the appended claims.

Iclaim: f 1. A device of the class described comprising a [plurality of button-engaging jaws,

means for pressing said jaws toward each 2 other to clamp a button therebetween, and a lost motion connection between certain of said jaws and means acting to permit said jaws-to separate to a limited extent without affecting said pressing means.

2. A device of the class described comprising a pluralityof button-engaging jaws,

means for pressing said jaws toward each other to'cla'mp a button therebetween, means for limiting the closing movement of said jaws to an adjustable extent, andmeans for permitting a limited separationof said jaws from said closing limit without affecting said PI'GSSlIlg 11183115 3. A device of the class described eomprising a plurality of button engaging jaws, means including a plurality of springs of different strengths for pressing said jaws toward each other, and mean for permitting a limitedopening movement of: said jaws against the'pressure of the weaker of said springs and further opening of said jaws against the pressure of the stronger of said springs. I 4. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of button-engaging jaws, certain of said jaws comprising twoparts having a lost motion connection with each other, a spring for pressing said parts to one limit of said lost motion and a spring for pressin said jaws toward each other.

"o. A device of the class described eomprismg a plurality of lnitton-engaging jaws, certain of. said jaws comprising two parts having a lost motion connection with each other, a spring for pressing said parts to one limit of saidlost motion anc a spring for pressing said jaws toward each other, said last mentioned spring being of the greater strength. i

6. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of button-engaging jaws, certain of said jaws comprising a shank portion and a button-engaging portion having a lostmotion connection with one end of said shank portion, a pivotal mounting for the opposite end of said shank portion, means engaging the shank portions of certain of said aws for closing all of said jaws toward each other, astop for adjustably limiting the extent of closing movementof said shank members, and springs for taking up the lost motions. of said connections in a direction to close said jaws.

. 7. A device of the class described comprismg a plurality of button-engaging jaws,

certain of said jaws comprising a shank portion and abutton-engaging portion having a lost motion connection with one end of said shank portion, a pivotal mounting for the opposite end of said shank portion, means engaging theshank portions of certain of said jaws for closing all of said aws toward each other, a stop for adjustably limiting the extent of closing movement of said shank members, and springs for taking up the lost motions of said connections'in a direction to close said jaws, said springs being of less strength than said closing means whereby opening pressure exerted on said jaws takes up the lost motion of said connections in opposition to'said springs before affecting said closing means. V

8. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair of jaws each comprising a shank portion pivoted at its rear end to said frame, a button-engaging member pivoted to the forward end of each of said shank portions, and having a button-engaging face, means for limiting the extent of movement between said shank portions and member, a relatively light spring for pressing said members toward each other about their pivotal connections with said shank portions, and a relatively heavy spring for pressing said shank portions in a direction to close said jaws.

9. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair of jaws each comprising a shank portion pivoted at its rear end to said frame, a button-engaging member pivoted to the forward end of each of said shank portions, and having a button-engaging face,

' prising a frame, a pair of jaws each comprising a shank portion pivoted atits rear end to said frame, a button-engaging member pivoted to the forward end of each of said shank portions, and having a buttonengaging face, means for limiting the EX:

tent of movement between said shank portions and member, a relatively light spring for pressing said members toward each other about their pivotal connections with said shank portions, a relatively heavy spring for pressing said shank'portionsrin a direction to closesaid jaws, and a third jaw movable toward and from said pair of jaws as said shank portions aregiven closing and opening movements, respectively.

11. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair of jaws each. comprising a shank portion pivoted at its rear end to said frame, a button-engaging member pivoted to r the forward end of each of saidshank portions, and having a button-engaging face, means for limiting the extent of movement between said shank portions and members, a relatively light spring for. pressing said members toward each other about their pivotal connections with said shank portions, a relatively heavy spring for pressing said shank portions in a direction to close said jaws, an adjustable stop for limiting the extent of jaw closing movement of said shank portions, and a third jaw movable toward and from said pair of jaws as said shank portions are given closing and opening movements, respectively.

12. A device of the class described comprising a frame, a pair-of jaws each comprising ashank portion pivoted at one end to said frame and extendin forwardly, the forward ends of each of said shank portions being strength than said springs acting on said shank portions to swing them toward each other, and anadjnstable stop to limit the eX- tent of such swinging.

18. A device of the class described comprising a frame, apair of aws each comprislng a shank portion pivoted at one end to said frame and extending forwardly, the forward ends of said shank portions being turned upwardly, button-engaging members pivoted at their upper ends to said upwardlyturned ends and having button-engaging faces at their lower ends, means for limiting the extent of pivotal movement of said members relative to said shank portions, springs for yieldingly holding said membersto their limits of pivotal motion toward each other, resilient means of greater strength than said springs acting on said shank portions to swing them towardeach other, an adjustable stop to limit the extent of such swinging, and a third jaw movable to approach said button-engaging faces as said shank portions are swung toward each other and to recede from said faces as said shank.

portions are swung away from each other.

14. A button clamp comprising a pair of button-engaging jaws and a leaf spring carried on the upper face of each of said jaws and projecting toward the other j aw in an upwardly inclined direction above a brittonheld wardly inclined end projecting towardthe other jaw over a button positioned between said j aws, said spring being adjustable on said jaw to conform to buttons of different sizes 7 and contours.

17. In a button clamp, a button engaging jaw having a spring lip projecting therefrom in position to extend over a button engaged by said jaw, said lip having its button-facing portion inclined upwardly away from said jaw toward the center of a button engaged thereby.

18. In a button clamp, a button engaging jaw having a lip projecting therefrom in position to extend over a button engaged by said jaw, and means by which the amount of projection of said lip from said jaw may be adjusted. v

19. In a button clamp, a button engaging jaw, a lip member overlying said jaw and projecting over a button engaged by said jaw,

and means whereby said lip member may be positively adjusted bodily vertically with relation to said jaw.

20. In a button clamp, a button engaging jaw, a lip member overlying said jaw and projecting over a button engaged by said jaw and means whereby the extent of projection and the vertical position of said lip member relative to said jaw may be adjusted.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

ROBERT L. LYONS. 

